Thin-type display device

ABSTRACT

A flat panel display apparatus is provided which is capable of conducting a transition of a display unit between the landscape and portrait orientation at one step and rotating around the substantial central portion of said display unit. The flat panel display apparatus includes a thin flat display unit ( 1 ) having a rectangular shape display screen thereon; a stand unit ( 2 ) for supporting said display unit ( 1 ); and a horizontal rotary axis ( 3 ) which is secured to the display unit ( 1 ) on its rear side in the substantial center thereof and which holds said display unit ( 1 ) so that display unit ( 1 ) is rotatable by at least 90 relative to said stand unit ( 2 ) and is characterized in that said display apparatus is provided with translational motion means ( 21, 22, 23 ) which causes the translational motion of said display unit ( 1 ) in a vertical direction in an interlocking manner with the rotation of said horizontal rotary axis ( 3 ).

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a flat panel display apparatus such asliquid crystal display apparatus and in particular to a flat paneldisplay apparatus having a display screen which is tiltable intolandscape (horizontal) orientation or portrait (vertical) orientation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Various mechanisms which change the display screen of the flat paneldisplay apparatus such as liquid crystal display apparatus to be tiltedinto a landscape (horizontal) orientation or portrait (vertical)orientation have heretofore been proposed. A screen orientation changingmechanism of a simple structure which conducts a combination of anoperation for turning a display unit with an operation for moving thedisplay unit in a vertical direction without using separate turningmechanism and vertical moving mechanism is disclosed in, for example,JP-A-Hei 11-338363.

In this mechanism, a bar like connecting member which is referred to as“link bar” is disposed between the display unit and a stand. The linkbar is mounted at its upper end (rotary axis A) on the stand so that itis rotatable and its rotation angle can be kept. The link bar is mountedat its lower end (rotary axis B) on the display unit in a positionoffset from the center of the screen of the display unit, so that it isrotatable and its rotation angle can be kept. The display screen can bechanged from a landscape (horizontal) orientation to a portrait(vertical) orientation by initially turning the display unit by an anglearound the rotary axis B and then turning the display unit around therotary axis A by an angle a.

However, the changing operation between the landscape and portraitorientation is not completed at one step in the screen orientationchanging mechanism of the above-mentioned prior art flat panel displayapparatus since it is conducted at two steps of rotary movements by therotary axes A and B. Specifically if the changing mechanism is appliedto large screen display apparatus, an extended period of time and laboris expended. Since the rotation center is not in the vicinity of thecenter of the screen, the rotary movement of the display unit at thistime is larger than that around the central portion of the display unit,so that ease of rotation may be lost. As a result, a process forchanging the orientation of the display screen may become very unstable.

The present invention was made in view of the above-mentioned problem.It is therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a flatpanel display apparatus which is capable of conducting a transitionbetween the landscape and portrait orientation of the display unit atone step and of capable of turning the display unit around thesubstantial center of the display unit.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention resides in a flat panel display apparatusincluding a thin flat display unit having a rectangular shape displayscreen thereon; a stand unit for supporting said display unit; and ahorizontal rotary axis which is secured to said display unit on its rearside in the substantial center thereof and which holds said display unitso that display unit is rotatable by at least 90 relative to said standunit, characterized in that said display apparatus is provided withtranslational motion means which causes the translational motion of saiddisplay unit in a vertical direction in an interlocking manner with therotation of said horizontal rotary axis.

The present invention is characterized in that said translational motionmeans is provided on said stand unit.

The present invention is characterized in that said translational motionmeans comprises a vertical lifting axis, on which said horizontal rotaryaxis is rotatably mounted and which is movable in a vertical upward ordownward direction, and a cam portion which abuts to said verticallifting axis and is interlocked with the rotation of said horizontalrotary axis so that it is rotated.

The present invention is characterized in that said vertical liftingaxis is provided with a guide for guiding the rotation of said camportion.

The present invention is characterized in that said stand unit isprovided with a guide for guiding the rotation of said cam portion.

The present invention is characterized in that said stand unit isprovided with a rotation restriction portion which abuts on a part ofsaid cam portion or said horizontal rotary axis for restricting therange of the rotation of said horizontal rotary axis.

The present invention is characterized in that said stand unit isprovided therein with biasing means for biasing said vertical liftingaxis in a vertical upward or downward direction to apply a load upon therotation of said display unit.

The present invention is characterized in that said translational motionmeans is provided on said horizontal rotary axis.

The present invention is characterized in that said translational motionmeans comprises a cam portion which abuts on said stand unit in such amanner that said cam portion is movable in a vertical direction and isinterlocked with said horizontal rotary axis.

The present invention is characterized in that said stand unit isprovided with a guide for guiding the rotation of said cam portion.

The present invention is characterized in that said stand unit isprovided with a rotation restriction portion which abuts on a part ofsaid cam portion or said horizontal rotary axis for restricting therange of the rotation of said horizontal rotary axis.

The present invention is characterized in that said translational motionmeans is provided on both of said display unit and said stand unit.

The present invention is characterized in that said translational motionmeans comprises at least one projection which is provided on the rearside of said display unit, a vertically movable vertical lifting axis onwhich said horizontal rotary axis is rotatably mounted, and a rail whichis provided on said stand unit for controlling the vertical movement ofsaid vertical lifting axis by guiding the trajectory of said projectionwhich is caused by the rotation of said display unit.

The present invention is characterized in that said rail hassubstantially rectilinear shape or upwardly convex shape.

The present invention is characterized in that said rail is provided onits inner periphery with a corrugated portion which is engaged in saidprojection.

The present invention is characterized in that said projection comprisesa roller which can be rolled on and along the inner face of said railwhile said roller abuts thereon.

The present invention is characterized in that a concave or convex forpreventing said projection from escaping from said rail is provided onthe inner periphery of said rail or the outer periphery of saidprojection.

The present invention is characterized in that a fabric material forsuppressing the wearing of said rail and said projection is applied onthe inner periphery of said rail or outer periphery of said projection.

The present invention is characterized in that said stand unit isprovided with biasing means for preventing said vertical lifting axisfrom abruptly moving in a vertical direction.

The present invention is characterized in that said rail or saidprojection is provided with biasing means for mitigating the shock dueto abrupt rotation of said projection.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A and 1B show the first embodiment of the flat panel displayapparatus of the present invention and are rear sectional views showingthe landscape and portrait screen orientation, respectively.

FIGS. 2A and 2B show the cam portion in the first embodiment of thepresent invention and are front and elevational views, respectively.

FIGS. 3A and 3B show the main part of the first embodiment of thepresent invention and are main part elevational sectional views showingthe landscape and portrait screen orientation, respectively.

FIGS. 4A and 4B show the second embodiment of the present invention andare rear sectional views showing the landscape and portrait screenorientation, respectively.

FIGS. 5A and 5B show the cam portion in the second embodiment of thepresent invention and are front and elevational views, respectively.

FIGS. 6A and 6B show the main part of the second embodiment of thepresent invention and are main part elevational sectional views showingthe landscape and portrait screen orientation, respectively.

FIGS. 7A and 7B show the third embodiment of the flat panel displayapparatus of the present invention and are rear sectional views showingthe portrait and landscape screen orientation, respectively.

FIGS. 8A and 8B show the cam portion of the third embodiment of thepresent invention and are front and elevational views, respectively.

FIGS. 9A and 9B show the main part of the third embodiment of thepresent invention and are main part elevational sectional views showingthe portrait and landscape screen orientation, respectively.

FIGS. 10A, 10B and 10C show the fourth embodiment of the flat paneldisplay apparatus of the present invention and are rear sectional viewsshowing the landscape screen orientation, the transitional orientationand the portrait screen orientation, respectively.

FIG. 11 is a front sectional view showing a rail in the fourthembodiment of the flat panel display apparatus of the present invention.

FIGS. 12A and 12B show a part B in FIG. 10A and are a main part frontview and a main part elevational sectional view, respectively.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION First Embodiment

Now, a first embodiment of the flat panel display apparatus of thepresent invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1Athrough 3B. FIGS. 1A and 1B show a first embodiment of a flat displayapparatus of the present invention. FIGS. 1A and 1B are rear sectionalviews showing the landscape (horizontal) and portrait (vertical)orientation, respectively. FIGS. 2A and 2B are views showing a camportion in the flat panel display apparatus of the present embodiment.FIGS. 2A and 2B are front and elevational views, respectively. FIGS. 3Aand 3B are views showing the flat panel display apparatus of the presentembodiment. FIGS. 3A and 3B are elevational sectional views of a mainpart showing the landscape and portrait screen orientation,respectively.

As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the flat panel display apparatus of thepresent embodiment comprises a flat panel display unit 1 having asubstantially rectangular display screen, a stand unit 2 which supportsthe display unit 1, and a horizontal rotary axis 3 which is secured tosaid display unit 1 on its rear side in the substantial center thereofand which holds the display unit 1 so that it can be rotated withrespect to the stand unit 2 by at least 90.

The stand unit 2 is provided with a translational motion means whichcauses the translational motion of the display unit 1 in a verticaldirection in association with the rotation of the horizontal rotary axis3 and comprises a vertical lifting axis 21 which is movable in avertical direction and on which the horizontal rotary axis 3 isrotatably mounted, a cam portion 22 which abuts to the upper end face ofthe vertical lifting axis 21 and is rotated in association with therotation of the horizontal rotary axis 3, a biasing means 23 such asspring and the like which biases the lower end face of the verticallifting axis 21 upwards (toward the cam portion 22), and an interlockingportion 24 which rotates the cam portion 22 in an interlocking mannerwith the rotation of the horizontal rotary axis 3.

The vertical lifting axis 21, cam portion 22 and biasing means 23 areaccommodated in an outer shell 25 of the stand unit 2. The horizontalrotary axis 3 is interlocked with the rotary motion of the display unit1 so that it is freely rotatable with respect to the vertical liftingaxis 21. The rotation of the cam portion 22 is interlocked with therotation of the horizontal rotary axis 3 via the interlocking portion24.

In the foregoing structure, the cam portion 22 is provided with an abutportion 221 which abuts to the upper end face of the vertical liftingaxis 21, a convex 222 which is provided on the outer peripheral facethereof, and a rotary axis 223 which is interlocked with the horizontalrotary axis 3 via the interlocking portion 24 as shown in FIGS. 2A and2B. The rotary axis 223 is rotatably mounted on the outer shell 25 ofthe stand unit, so that the relative position between the rotary axis223 and the outer shell 25 of the stand unit is not changed.

The abut portion 221 is in such a form that the position of the abutportion 221 in which it abuts to the vertical lifting axis 21 isvertically changed depending upon the angular position of the camportion 22. Accordingly, the rotation angle of the display unit 1 causesthe vertical lifting axis 21 to be moved vertically. On the other hand,the convex 222 on the outer peripheral face of the cam portion 22 isengaged with the concave (guide portion) 211 on the upper end face ofthe vertical lifting axis 21 to suppress the offset between thehorizontal rotary axis 3 and the rotary axis 223 of the cam portion 22as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B. This achieves the guide function whichenables a series of rotary motions to be smoothly conducted.

In order to achieve this guide function, it is possible to properlyreverse the concave and convex relationship between the cam portion 22and the vertical lifting axis 21. In order to stably guide the rotationof the cam portion 22, a concave (guide portion) with which the convex222 on the outer peripheral face of the cam portion 22 may be providedon, for example, the side of the stand outer shell 25. In this case, itis needless to say that the concave and convex relationship may beproperly reversed.

The interlocking portion 24 plays a role to interlock the rotarymovement of the horizontal rotary axis 3 with that of the cam portion221. The interlocking portion 24 is made of, for example, an elastomermaterial to constrain both axes so that no slack of the interlockingportion is caused. The reason why the elastomer material is adoptedresides in that the interlocking portion can cope with the change in thedistance between the both axes due to their rotations.

The biasing means 23 is disposed at least on the lower or upper side ofthe vertical lifting axis 21. The biasing means 23 can impose anappropriate load upon the rotary movement of said display unit 1 andeliminate a vertical play space in the stand unit 2.

The stability of the elevational position of the vertical lifting axis21 can be enhanced by keeping a balance between the depressing forcewhich is applied upon the vertical lifting axis 21 by the abut portion221 of the cam portion 22 and strains which are applied on members dueto the gravity of the vertical lifting axis 21. If the biasing means 23is disposed on the upper side of the vertical lifting axis 21, it isexpected that the biasing means 23 plays a role to prevent the displayunit 1 from colliding with the stand outer shell 25 and the like whenthe display unit 1 is lifted up.

The cam portion 22 is provided with an engaging piece 224 to prevent thedisplay unit 1 from turning by an angular angle larger than a necessaryangle. Turning of the display unit by an angular angle than a necessaryangle can be suppressed by the engagement of the engagement piece 224with a turning restriction portion 251 of the stand unit 2 at a givenangular angle of the cam portion 22. The engagement piece may beprovided in any position if it is positioned between the rotary member(display unit 1, horizontal rotary axis 3 and the like) and a memberwhich conducts no rotary movement (vertical lifting axis 21, stand outershell 25 and the like).

Since the flat panel display apparatus of the present embodiment isconfigured as mentioned above, when the display unit 1 is switched fromthe landscape orientation in which the display screen is horizontallyorientated as shown in FIG. 1A to the portrait orientation in which itis vertically orientated as shown in FIG. 1B, turning of the displayunit 1 in a direction represented by an arrow A causes the horizontalrotary axis 3 secured on the center of the rear side of the display unit1 to rotate, so that the cam portion 22 which is linked with thehorizontal rotary axis 3 via the interlocking portion 24 is also rotatedin an interlocking manner therewith.

Rotation of the cam portion 22 causes the vertical lifting axis 21 to belifted or a lowered depending upon the cam contour of the abut portion221. Since this causes the horizontal rotary axis 3 provided on thevertical lifting axis 21 to be moved vertically, the display unit 1 towhich the horizontal rotary axis 3 is secured can conduct the rotarymovement so that it is not in contact with the floor on which the standunit is placed while the screen orientation is changed and so that theelevation of the lower end face of the display unit before and after thechange of the screen orientation is substantially same.

As mentioned above, the flat panel display apparatus of the presentembodiment is capable of changing the display unit 1 from the landscapeorientation to the portrait orientation and vice versa around thesubstantial central portion of the display unit 1 at one step.Therefore, stable turning operation of the display unit 1 can beachieved without being influenced by the rotary moment due to gravity.

Second Embodiment

Now, a second embodiment of the flat panel display apparatus of thepresent invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 4Athrough 6B. Like components are designated by like reference numerals inFIG. 1. The description of them will be omitted. FIGS. 4A and 4B showthe second embodiment of the flat panel display apparatus of the presentinvention. FIGS. 4A and 4B are rear sectional views showing thelandscape and portrait orientation, respectively. FIGS. 5A and 5B arefront and elevational views, respectively, showing the cam portion inthe flat panel display apparatus of the present embodiment. FIGS. 6A and6B show a main part of the flat panel display apparatus of the presentembodiment. FIGS. 6A and 6B are elevational sectional views of a mainpart showing the landscape and portrait orientation, respectively.

The flat panel display apparatus of the present embodiment comprises abiasing means 23, vertical lifting axis 21 and cam portion 22, which aredisposed in a stand outer shell 25 of a stand unit 2 in an order fromthe top thereof as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B. The second embodiment hasan arrangement of components which is a reversal of that of the firstembodiment which has been described with reference to FIGS. 1A and 1B.Similarly to the foregoing first embodiment, the horizontal rotary axis3 is interlocked with the rotary axis 223 of the cam portion 22 by aninterlocking portion 24, so that they are rotated.

The description of the first embodiment may be substantially identicalwith that of the various functions of the cam portion 22 except that therotary axis 223 is mounted on the stand outer shell 25, so that it ismovable in a vertical direction. Provision of two abutments of the abutportion 221 with the vertical lifting axis 21 and stand unit 2 makes therange of the vertical movement of the vertical lifting axis 21 double asthat when the abutment position of the abut 221 is one.

The biasing means 23 is provided on the vertical lifting axis 21(opposite to the cam portion 22), so that it suitably abuts on the topface of the stand outer shell portion 25. The biasing means 23 serves toprevent the collision between the vertical lifting axis 21 and the standouter shell portion 25 when the display unit 1 is abruptly lifted. Thevibration sound which is caused by the vibration between the cam portion22 and the vertical lifting axis 21, the stand outer shell portion 25can be reduced by the suitable spring biasing force of the biasing means23.

In FIGS. 5A, 5B, 6A and 6B, a convex 222 formed on the outer peripheryof the cam portion 22 engages with a concave (guide) 211 of the verticallifting axis 21 similarly to the foregoing first embodiment 1 and alsoengages with a concave (guide) 26 of the stand unit 2 to stabilize therotation of the cam portion 22. The turning range of the cam 22 can berestricted by the fact that the engagement piece 224 on the outerperiphery of the cam 22 abuts on the rotation restriction portion 27which is provided in the concave 26 of the stand unit 2.

The stand unit 2 is provided with translational motion means (verticallifting axis 21, cam portion 22, biasing means 23) in the flat paneldisplay apparatus of the present embodiment similarly to the firstembodiment. This makes it possible to adjust the elevational position ofthe horizontal rotary axis 3 depending upon the rotation of the displayunit 1 without adding any special design to the display unit 1. Thedisplay unit 1 can be turned so that it is not in contact with the flooron which the apparatus is placed and the elevational position of thelower end of the display unit 1 is substantially same before and afterthe change of the orientation of the display unit 1.

A transitional operation of the display unit 1 between the landscape andportrait orientation can be conducted at only one step in the flat paneldisplay apparatus of the present embodiment. Since turning of thedisplay unit 1 around the substantial center thereof can be conducted,stable turning of the display unit 1 can be conducted without beinginfluenced by the rotational moment due to gravity.

Third Embodiment

Now, a third embodiment of a flat panel display apparatus of the presentinvention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 7A through9B. Components which are identical to those in the first embodiment arerepresented by identical reference numerals. Description thereof will beomitted. FIGS. 7A and 7B show the third embodiment of the flat paneldisplay apparatus of the present invention and are rear sectional viewsshowing the portrait and landscape orientation of the display unit,respectively. FIGS. 8A and 8B are front and elevational views,respectively, showing a cam portion in the flat panel display apparatusof the present embodiment. FIGS. 9A and 9B show a main part of the flatpanel display apparatus of the present embodiment and are elevationalsectional views showing the portrait and landscape orientation of thedisplay unit, respectively.

The flat panel display apparatus of the present embodiment of FIGS. 7Aand 7B is substantially identical with these of the first and secondembodiments except that a cam portion 31 is provided on a horizontalrotary axis 3 as translational motion means and rotation of the displayunit 1 causes the horizontal rotary axis 3 which is secured to thecenter of the rear face of the display unit 1 and the cam portion to berotated.

As shown in FIGS. 8A, 8B, 9A and 9B, the cam portion 31 is provided withan abut portion 311 which abuts on the upper end of the stand unit 2 aconvex 312 on the outer periphery thereof, and an engagement piece 313which engages with the stand unit 2 for restricting the range of theangular rotation of the cam portion 31. The abut portion 311 alwaysabuts on the stand unit 2 so that the elevational position in which theabut portion 311 abut on the stand unit 2 changes depending upon therotational angle of the cam portion 31. The rotation of the display unit1 causes the horizontal rotary axis 3 and the cam portion 31 to berotated, so that the horizontal rotary axis 3 is moved in a verticaldirection depending upon the cam contour of the abut portion 311 of thecam portion 31. The horizontal rotary axis 3 is mounted on the standouter shell 25 in such a manner that the horizontal rotary axis 3 isvertically movable The convex 312 of the cam portion 31 is engaged withthe concave (guide) 211 of the stand unit to prevent the rotary axisfrom being shifted on rotation thereof. The engagement piece 313 of thecam portion 31 stops the rotational moment of the cam portion 31 in theposition where it abuts on the rotation restriction portion 251 providedon the stand outer shell 25 of the stand 2 for preventing the excessiverotation of the cam portion 31.

The flat panel display apparatus of the present embodiment is configuredso that the horizontal rotary axis 3 is provided with the cam portion 31as mentioned above. This makes it possible to move horizontal rotaryaxis 3 in a vertical direction in an interlocking manner with therotation of the display unit 1 without adding any special design to thedisplay unit 1 and it is possible to adjust elevational position of thedisplay unit 1 depending upon its rotation angle. The display unit 1 canbe turned so that it is not in contact with the floor on which theapparatus is placed and the elevational position of the lower end of thedisplay unit 1 is substantially same before and after the change of theorientation of the display unit 1.

A transitional operation of the display unit 1 between the landscape andportrait orientation can be conducted at only one step in the flat paneldisplay apparatus of the present embodiment. Since turning of thedisplay unit 1 around the substantial center thereof can be conducted,stable turning of the display unit 1 can be conducted without beinginfluenced by the rotational moment due to gravity. The structure of thepresent embodiment is simpler than those of the fore-going first andsecond embodiments and reduction in cost can be achieved.

Fourth Embodiment

Now, a fourth embodiment of the flat panel display apparatus of thepresent invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.10A through 12B. Components which are identical with those of the firstembodiment will be represented by identical reference numerals.Description thereof will be omitted. FIGS. 10A, 10B and 10C show afourth embodiment of the flat panel display apparatus of the presentinvention. FIG. 10A is a rear sectional view showing the landscapeorientation of the screen unit. FIG. 10B is a rear sectional viewshowing the transitional orientation. FIG. 10C is a rear sectional viewshowing the portrait orientation of the screen unit. FIG. 11 is a frontview showing a rail unit in the flat panel display apparatus of thepresent embodiment. FIGS. 12A and 12B are view showing a part B in FIG.10A. FIGS. 12A and 12B are main part front and sectional views,respectively, showing a main part.

As shown in FIGS. 10A through 10C, in the flat panel display apparatusof the present embodiment, the display unit 1 is provided with aprojection 11 in an appropriate position as translational motion meansand the stand unit 2 is provided with a rail 28 for guiding theprojection 11 when the display unit 1 is rotated and a vertical liftingaxis 21 on which a horizontal rotary axis 3 secured to the center of therear side of the display unit 1 is rotatably mounted.

For the reason which is similar to those in the above-mentioned firstand second embodiments, a biasing means may be provided on or under thevertical lifting axis 21 according to needs. Herein, the biasing means23 is provided under the vertical lifting axis 21. The vertical liftingaxis 21 and the biasing means 23 are accommodated within the stand outershell 25 and the rail 28 is firmly secured to the stand outer shell 25.

The principle of the operation of the present embodiment will bedescribed. The vertical lifting axis 21 is moved in a vertical directionby using a force which is applied between the projection 11 and the rail28 during the rotation of the display unit 1. The projection 11 is movedon the rail while it abuts on the inner periphery of the rail 281.Conversely, when the display unit 1 is lifted upwardly, the projection11 abuts on the inner periphery 281 of the rail to apply forces to eachother to cause the rotation thereof. The projection 11 is moved on therail while it abuts on the inner periphery 281 of the rail. In order toefficiently function this mechanism, various structures which will bedescribed are provided.

The rail 28 has inner periphery 281 of the rail to which the projection11 abuts. The inner periphery 281 of the rail is preferably in thesubstantially linear shape or substantially upwardly convex shape. Thereasons are as follows:

Since the center of the rotation is a fixed point which is not movablein a lateral and vertical directions in the prior art simple rotation,the trajectory of the projection 11 which is traced by the rotation is adownwardly convex arch when the projection 11 is located in the left andlower position as viewed in the rear view of FIG. 10A. Thus, in thepresent embodiment, the rail 28 is formed in the substantially convex orsubstantially linear shape and the display unit 1 is movable in avertical direction.

The rail 28 forcedly corrects the trajectory of the projection 11 whichhas heretofore been in the downwardly convex shape in association withthe rotation into substantially upwardly convex or substantially linearshape. Since the horizontal rotary axis 3 is moved as spaced at a givendistance from the projection 11 during this operation, the horizontalrotary axis 3 which is movable only in a vertical direction by thevertical lifting axis 21 traces the trajectory which is moved upwardlyto pass through the highest point and is then lowered.

In other words, some positional energy to lift the whole of the displayunit is necessary to cause the movement from the orientation of FIG. 10Ato that of FIG. 10B or vice versa. Therefore, it is possible to keep theorientation in which unintentional rotational movement is not caused.

The inner periphery 281 of the rail may be corrugated in shape as shownin FIG. 11. The corrugated shape of the inner periphery of the rail canprevent abrupt movement of the projection 11 and increase the safety ofthe product during the rotation.

The inner periphery 281 of the rail may be provided on its sectionalface with an abut portion 282 which is concave in section and abut onthe projection 11, and a guide 283 which is concave in section forguiding the movement of the projection 11 as shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B.Alternatively, the projection 11 may be provided with a roller 111 whichcan be rolled in a moving direction along the rail 28. Provision of theprojection 11 with rolling roller 111 enables the projection 11 to besmoothly moved on the inner periphery of the rail 28.

The inner periphery 281 of the rail or the roller 111 may be provided onits outer periphery with a sound absorbing layer 284 and 112 made of asound absorbing material such as felt. In this case, wearing of the railand the projection 11 can be prevented and abutting sound which isgenerated on rotation of the roller 111 of the projection 11 can bereduced or eliminated.

In the present embodiment, biasing means 285 and 286 such as springparts and the like are also disposed at the both ends of the rail 28 inaddition to the biasing means 23 which is provided under the verticallifting axis 21 of the stand unit 2. The biasing means 23 abuts on thevertical lifting axis 21 and the biasing means 285 and 286 abut on theprojection 11 for absorbing the shock due to abrupt movement during thevertical translational motion and the rotation. The biasing means may beprovided on the projection 11. If the biasing means 23 are provided onboth upper and lower sides of the vertical lifting axis 21, thestability of the motion of the vertical lifting axis 21 can be furtherenhanced.

Since the distance between the horizontal rotary axis 3 and theprojection 11 is made constant by configuring the flat panel displayapparatus of the present embodiment so that both the display unit 1 andthe stand unit 2 are provided with translational motion means, theprojection 11 is moved on the rail 28 in association with the rotationof the display unit. As a result, the vertical lifting axis 21 is movedin a vertical upward or downward direction, so that the horizontalrotary axis 3 provided on the vertical lifting axis 21 can also be movedin a vertical upward or downward direction.

This makes it possible to adjust the elevational position of the displayunit 1 depending upon the rotation of the display unit 1 and the displayunit 1 can be turned so that it is not in contact with the floor onwhich the apparatus is placed and the elevational position of the lowerend of the display unit 1 is substantially same before and after thechange of the orientation of the display unit 1.

A transitional operation of the display unit 1 between the landscape andportrait orientation can be conducted at only one step in the flat paneldisplay apparatus of the present embodiment. Since turning of thedisplay unit 1 around the substantial center thereof can be conducted,stable turning of the display unit 1 can be conducted without beinginfluenced by the rotational moment due to gravity.

Although the first to fourth embodiments of the present invention inwhich the vertical upward or downward translational motion of thedisplay unit 1 caused by the rotation of the display unit 1 is achievedby a mechanism have been described, means for interlocking the rotationof the display unit with the translational motion thereof may beimplemented by an electronic control using a microcomputer and the likeas well as a mechanism. It is possible to effectively extend thevertical moving range by combination of the above-mentioned embodiments.

Since the flat panel display apparatus of the present invention isformed as mentioned above, a transition of the display screen betweenthe landscape and portrait orientation can be achieved at only one step.Since the horizontal rotary axis is provided on the substantiallycentral portion of the display unit, stable rotation of the display unitcan be conducted without being influenced by the rotational momentthereof. Since the display unit is movable in an upward and downwarddirection, the display unit can be positioned in an optimal elevationalposition while it is in the portrait or landscape orientation.

1. A flat panel display apparatus including a thin flat display unithaving a rectangular shape display screen thereon; a stand unit forsupporting said display unit; and a horizontal rotary axis which issecured to said display unit on the center of its rear side and whichholds said display unit so that display unit is rotatable by at least90′ relative to said stand unit, wherein said display apparatus isprovided with translational motion means which causes the translationalmotion of said display unit in a vertical direction by moving thehorizontal rotary axis in a vertical direction in an interlocking mannerwith the rotation of said horizontal rotary axis.
 2. A flat paneldisplay apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said translationalmotion means is provided on said stand unit.
 3. A flat panel displayapparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein said translational motion meanscomprises a vertical lifting axis, on which said horizontal rotary axisis rotatably mounted and which is movable in a vertical upward ordownward direction, and a cam portion which abuts to said verticallifting axis and is interlocked with the rotation of said horizontalrotary axis so that it is rotated.
 4. A flat panel display apparatus asdefined in claim 3, wherein said vertical lifting axis is provided witha guide for guiding the rotation of said cam portion.
 5. A flat paneldisplay apparatus as defined in claim 3 or 4, wherein said stand unit isprovided with a guide for guiding the rotation of said cam portion.
 6. Aflat panel display apparatus as defined in claim 3 or 4, wherein saidstand unit is provided with a rotation restriction portion which abutson a part of said cam portion or said horizontal rotary axis forrestricting the range of the rotation of said horizontal rotary axis. 7.A flat panel display apparatus as defined in claim 3 or 4, wherein saidstand unit is provided therein with biasing means for biasing saidvertical lifting axis in a vertical upward or downward direction toapply a load upon the rotation of said display unit.
 8. A flat paneldisplay apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said translationalmotion means is provided on said horizontal rotary axis.
 9. A flat paneldisplay apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein said translationalmotion means comprises a cam portion which abuts on said stand unit insuch a manner that said cam portion is movable in a vertical directionand is rotated in an interlocking manner with said horizontal rotaryaxis.
 10. A flat panel display apparatus as defined in claim 9, whereinsaid stand unit is provided with a guide for guiding the rotation ofsaid cam portion.
 11. A flat panel display apparatus as defined in claim9 or 10, wherein said stand unit is provided with a rotation restrictionportion which abuts on a part of said cam portion or said horizontalrotary axis for restricting the range of the rotation of said horizontalrotary axis.
 12. A flat panel display apparatus as defined in claim 1,wherein said translational motion means is provided on both of saiddisplay unit and said stand unit.
 13. A flat panel display apparatus asdefined in claim 12, wherein said translational motion means comprisesat least one projection which is provided on the rear side of saiddisplay unit, a vertically movable vertical lifting axis on which saidhorizontal rotary axis is rotatably mounted, and a rail which isprovided on said stand unit for controlling the vertical movement ofsaid vertical lifting axis by guiding the trajectory of said projectionwhich is caused by the rotation of said display unit.
 14. A flat paneldisplay apparatus as defined in claim 13, wherein said rail hassubstantially rectilinear shape or upwardly convex shape.
 15. A flatpanel display apparatus as defined in claim 13 or 14, wherein said railis provided on its inner periphery with a corrugated portion which isengaged in said projection.
 16. A flat panel display apparatus asdefined in claim 13 or 14, wherein said projection comprises a rollerwhich can be rolled on and along the inner face of said rail while saidroller abuts thereon.
 17. A flat panel display apparatus as defined inclaim 13 or 14, wherein a concave or convex for preventing saidprojection from escaping from said rail is provided on the innerperiphery of said rail or the outer periphery of said projection.
 18. Aflat panel display apparatus as defined in claim 13 or 14, wherein afabric material for suppressing the wearing of said rail and saidprojection is applied on the inner periphery of said rail or outerperiphery of said projection.
 19. A flat panel display apparatus asdefined in claim 13 or 14, wherein said stand unit is provided withbiasing means for preventing said vertical lifting axis from abruptlymoving in a vertical direction.
 20. A flat panel display apparatus asdefined in claim 13 or 14, wherein said rail or said projection isprovided with biasing means for mitigating the shock due to abruptrotation of said projection.
 21. A flat panel display apparatus asdefined in claim 5, wherein said stand unit is provided with a rotationrestriction portion which abuts on a part of said cam portion or saidhorizontal rotary axis for restricting the range of the rotation of saidhorizontal rotary axis.
 22. A flat panel display apparatus as defined inclaim 5, wherein said stand unit is provided therein with biasing meansfor biasing said vertical lifting axis in a vertical upward or downwarddirection to apply a load upon the rotation of said display unit.
 23. Aflat panel display apparatus as defined in claim 6, wherein said standunit is provided therein with biasing means for biasing said verticallifting axis in a vertical upward or downward direction to apply a loadupon the rotation of said display unit.
 24. A flat panel displayapparatus as defined in claim 15, wherein said projection comprises aroller which can be rolled on and along the inner face of said railwhile said roller abuts thereon.
 25. A flat panel display apparatus asdefined in claim 15, wherein a concave or convex for preventing saidprojection from escaping from said rail is provided on the innerperiphery of said rail or the outer periphery of said projection.
 26. Aflat panel display apparatus as defined in claim 16, wherein a concaveor convex for preventing said projection from escaping from said rail isprovided on the inner periphery of said rail or the outer periphery ofsaid projection.
 27. A flat panel display apparatus as defined in claim15, wherein a fabric material for suppressing the wearing of said railand said projection is applied on the inner periphery of said rail orouter periphery of said projection.
 28. A flat panel display apparatusas defined in claim 16, wherein a fabric material for suppressing thewearing of said rail and said projection is applied on the innerperiphery of said rail or outer periphery of said projection.
 29. A flatpanel display apparatus as defined in claim 17, wherein a fabricmaterial for suppressing the wearing of said rail and said projection isapplied on the inner periphery of said rail or outer periphery of saidprojection.
 30. A flat panel display apparatus as defined in claim 15,wherein said stand unit is provided with biasing means for preventingsaid vertical lifting axis from abruptly moving in a vertical direction.31. A flat panel display apparatus as defined in claim 16, wherein saidstand unit is provided with biasing means for preventing said verticallifting axis from abruptly moving in a vertical direction.
 32. A flatpanel display apparatus as defined in claim 17, wherein said stand unitis provided with biasing means for preventing said vertical lifting axisfrom abruptly moving in a vertical direction.
 33. A flat panel displayapparatus as defined in claim 18, wherein said stand unit is providedwith biasing means for preventing said vertical lifting axis fromabruptly moving in a vertical direction.
 34. A flat panel displayapparatus as defined in claim 15, wherein said rail or said projectionis provided with biasing means for mitigating the shock due to abruptrotation of said projection.
 35. A flat panel display apparatus asdefined in claim 16, wherein said rail or said projection is providedwith biasing means for mitigating the shock due to abrupt rotation ofsaid projection.
 36. A flat panel display apparatus as defined in claim17, wherein said rail or said projection is provided with biasing meansfor mitigating the shock due to abrupt rotation of said projection. 37.A flat panel display apparatus as defined in claim 18, wherein said railor said projection is provided with biasing means for mitigating theshock due to abrupt rotation of said projection.
 38. A flat paneldisplay apparatus as defined in claim 19, wherein said rail or saidprojection is provided with biasing means for mitigating the shock dueto abrupt rotation of said projection.